At three in the afternoon, Elena returned to the HR desk.
Same desk.
Same supervisor.
The clear plastic bag with the things from her locker was still in her own bag. The edge of the sewing kit rubbed against the fabric, reminding her that the day had not ended just because she was tired.
The bag made a small sound every time she moved. Thread, old pins, folded fabric, the things HR had treated like a cleanup task that morning. Elena kept it with her because she did not trust anyone else to hold what had already been taken out of her locker once.
The HR supervisor saw her and immediately became cautious. "Miss Hayes, if this is about final wages, we are still reviewing."
"I'm not here for wages." Elena placed Mara's receipt on the desk. "The foundation needs current employment status.
